Hiv when do symptoms appear

HIV is forever and is better treated sooner rather than later. The chronic stage of infection occurs once the immune system brings the virus under control. During this phase, HIV will go into hiding, where it resides in various cells and tissues throughout the body in a dormant state known as latency. HIV latency can persist without symptoms for 10 years or more, although some people may experience signs within a year or two.

During the early chronic phase, lymphadenopathy may be the only notable sign of an HIV infection. In some cases, the glands may be visibly enlarged and reach up to an inch or more in size.

Even during latency, the virus will multiple imperceptibly and gradually deplete immune cells known as CD4 T-cells. As immune deficiency develops, a number of nonspecific symptoms are likely to appear, including:. Each of these symptoms is commonly seen in persons with immune deficiency. They may, in some cases, be caused by HIV itself or by an infection that has yet to be diagnosed. If left untreated, HIV will almost invariably lead to symptomatic disease. You can prevent HIV by using condoms correctly every time you have sex; pre-exposure prophylaxis, a prevention method in which the HIV-negative partner takes daily HIV medicine to prevent HIV; and treatment as prevention, a method in which the HIV-positive partner takes daily HIV medicine to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load.

However, no test can detect HIV immediately after infection. The early symptoms of HIV can include:. Many of these people do not have any symptoms. There are three types of HIV tests :. Keep in mind, any positive result known as the preliminary positive would necessitate a second test to confirm it.

The only test that would not require a second confirmatory test is the NAT. The time between when a person may have been exposed to HIV and when a test can tell for sure whether they have the virus is called the window period.

The window period varies from person to person and depends on the type of test used to detect HIV. If you get an HIV test after a potential HIV exposure and the result is negative, you need to get tested again after the window period. It works by lowering the amount of virus in the body to very low levels. This treatment can also slow the progression of the infection and protect the immune system.

Left untreated, HIV will progress to the second stage. During this stage, people may experience no symptoms at all. If no treatment is administered, an individual can stay in this stage for 10 to 15 years. Early diagnosis is vital to slowing the progression of HIV. If you are in a high-risk group, it is recommended that you get tested every three to six months.

A number of tests are available, including at-home options, for you to get your results. Adherence is everything, however. Get information on prevention, symptoms, and treatment to better ensure a long and healthy life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About HIV. Updated June 1, How can you tell if you have HIV?

Updated July 1, Selik RM, Linley L. Viral loads within 6 weeks after diagnosis of HIV infection in early and later stages: observational study using national surveillance data. Sometimes it can make you feel winded while walking or generally feel out of breath. Fatigue can be both an early and later symptom of HIV. There are several things that can cause a person to feel fatigued, so pay attention to your body and your lifestyle to see if you can draw a conclusion. If your fatigue persists, seek advice from your doctor.

Many of them are located in your armpit, groin and neck which can result in aches and pains in these areas. Given these symptoms are common across many viral infections, they alone are not a reliable way to determine if the infection you are experiencing is HIV.

Skin rashes can occur early or late in the course of HIV seroconversion and can last between two and three weeks. The rash may start as feeling non-itchy, but in some cases, can appear similar to boils with itchy, pink breakouts.

Many people experience digestive system problems as a symptom of the early stages of HIV. However, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can also appear in later stages of infection, usually as the result of an opportunistic infection. It is important to stay hydrated. Diarrhoea that is unremitting and not responding to usual therapy might be an indication of HIV, and it would be best to seek the advice of a doctor to help determine its cause.

A severe, dry cough that can last for weeks to months without seeming to resolve even with antibiotics and inhalers is a typical symptom in very ill HIV patients. Any person with persistent symptoms such as these should see a doctor, especially if symptoms are worsening. Night sweats are repeated episodes of extreme sweating, causing bedding and any nightclothes to become soaked. Many people will get night sweats during the early stages of HIV.